1. What is a cookie?A cookie is a small file, generally made up of letters and numbers, which is downloaded to a computer’s memory (or other equipment used for online browsing – mobile phone, tablet, etc.) when the user accesses a particular website. Cookies are created when a browser used by a user displays a particular website. The website transmits information to the browser, and it creates a text file. Each time the user accesses that web site again, the browser accesses and transmits this file to the site’s server. In other words, the cookie can be seen as an Internet User ID card that announces the website every time the user returns to that site.

2. The purpose of cookiesCookies can provide faster and easier interaction between users and websites. For example, when authenticating a user on a particular website, authentication data is stored in a cookie; the user can then access the site without having to authenticate again. In other cases, cookies can be used to store information about user activities on a particular web page so that they can easily resume their activities on a subsequent access to the site. Cookies tell the server what pages the user should show to the user so that they do not have to remember or navigate the entire site from the beginning. Thus, cookies can be assimilated to “bookmarks” that tell the user exactly where they stayed on a website. Similarly, cookies can store information about products ordered by the user on an ecommerce site, thus enabling the concept of a “shopping cart”. Cookies can also provide websites with the ability to monitor users’ online activities and set up user profiles that can then be used for marketing purposes. For example, cookies can identify products and services.3. Cookies from the perspective of IT security and privacyAlthough cookies are stored in the memory of the user’s computer, they can not access / read other information on that computer. Cookies are not viruses. They are just small text files; are not compiled as code and can not be executed. Thus, they can not be auto-copied, they can not spread to other networks to generate actions, and can not be used to spread viruses. Cookies can not search for information on the user’s computer, but they store personal information. This information is not generated by cookies, but by the user, when he completes online forms, logs on certain websites, uses electronic payment systems, etc. Although sensitive information is typically protected against unauthorized access, it is possible for such persons to intercept the information transmitted between the browser and the website. Even if they are rare, such situations can occur when the browser connects to the server using an unencrypted network, such as an unsecured WiFi channel. To reduce cookie intercepting riches, the so-called “secure cookie” or “HttpOnly cookie” can be used. “Secure” cookies are meant to limit the communication of information stored in cookies to encrypted transmission, indicating that the browser uses cookies only through secure / encrypted connections. Thus, if the website uses HTTPS, site-cookies are marked with the “secure” attribute, which prevents them from sending them to a non-HTTPS page, even if it is located at the same URL. For example, if google.com uses a “secure cookie,” that cookie can only be obtained from google.ro and only from a https connection (which certify that the cookie is Google Inc. and not someone else) . The “HttpOnly” attribute tells the browser to use cookies only through the HTTP protocol (which includes HTTPS). A HttpOnly cookie is not accessible through non-HTTP methods, such as JavaScript, and can not be targeted by cross-site scripting attacks. Another source of concern is the use of cookies for behavioral targeted advertising. Thus, cookies can be used by online advertisers to monitor the user’s online behavior and preferences to identify and deliver the most relevant advertising messages to the user. However, these preferences are not explicitly or consciously expressed by the user, but are modeled according to the history of the user’s online browsing, the pages he viewed, and the advertisements accessed. For example, when a user reads a webpage about cars and moves to another page later, car advertisements will be displayed on the new page, even if it is not related to machines. Since the user is not informed that their online actions are being monitored, this raises concerns about privacy. Thus, the use of cookies raises concerns about the use of information retained by these cookies for the purpose of monitoring users and the use of spyware technologies, especially in cases where information is stored on and used by users’ computers for their recognition without users are aware of, or have agreed to, this.

4. Tips for safe and responsible cookie-based navigation.Due to their flexibility and the fact that most of the most visited sites and the biggest ones use cookies, they are almost inevitable. Disabling cookies will not allow the user to access the most popular and used sites including Youtube, Gmail, Yahoo and others. Here are a few tips that can help you navigate safely with cookies:– Customize your browser settings for cookies to reflect a comfortable cookie security level for you.– If you do not mind cookies and you are the only person using your computer, you can set expiration dates to store your browsing history and personal access data.– If you share access to your computer, you can consider the browser setting to delete individual browsing data each time you close your browser. This is a way to access sites that place cookies and delete any business information when you close the browsing session.– Install and constantly update your antispyware applications.Many of the applications for detection and prevention of spyware include the detection of attacks on sites. This prevents the browser from accessing websites that could exploit the vulnerabilities of the browser or download dangerous software.Make sure your browser is always up-to-date. Many of the cookies attacks are exploited by exploiting the weaknesses of the old versions of browsers. Cookies are everywhere and can not be avoided if you want to enjoy access to the best and greatest websites on the Internet – local or international. With a clear understanding of how they work and the benefits they bring, you can take the necessary security measures so you can browse with confidence on the internet.5. How can I stop cookies?Disabling and refusing to receive cookies can make some sites unfeasible or difficult to visit and use. Also, refusing to accept cookies does not mean you will not get / see online advertising anymore. It is possible to set up the browser so that these cookies are no longer supported or you can set the browser to accept cookies from a particular site. But for example, if you are not registered using cookies, you will not be able to leave comments. All modern browsers offer the ability to change cookie settings. These settings are usually found in your browser’s “options” or “preferences” menu.For third-party cookie settings, you can also check the site:http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/IAB Romania provides the following website to provide more privacy information related to online advertising: http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ro/For more details on privacy issues, you can also access the following links:http://www.dataprotection.ro/http://www.dreptonline.ro/legislatie/oug_13_2012_modificare_prelucrare_date_caracter_personal_protectia_vietii_private_comunicatii_electronice.phpwww.youronlinechoices.eu/ro

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Oltenia Hotel in Craiova is ideally located close to the Electroputere Mall, the Ford Plant and just 7 minutes away from Craiova city center and 10 minutes from Craiova Airport.